BETTY'S HANGIN’ OUT WITH THE HURRICANE’S MR. "D", Denzel Washington

It’s no big secret really. Academy Award-winner Denzel Washington is on top of the world. From his portrayal in Glory (which he won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor), to South African freedom fighter Steven Biko in Cry Freedom (for which he was also nominated for an Oscar) and his impressive roles in Spike Lee’s Mo’ Better Blues and Malcolm X, the man has done it all.

Now the chisel-cut Denzel packs a powerful punch as the falsely imprisoned mid weight boxing champ Rubin Carter in the inspirational and moving film, The Hurricane. Denzel’s presence is truly riveting and may I be so bold as to say – he looks FINE!I recently got the chance to speak with Denzel about how he trained for the role of a lifetime, his own unique way of focusing and his butt cheeks.

BBB: How are you doing today?
Denzel: Good. And that was me naked in that scene! [laughs] That was not a body double. Somebody said to me today, “Now that body double…” And I was like, “Hey. There was no double. That was me!” I even turned around in the scene so you could see my face. But it was kind of dark. That cinematographer needed to get some lights in there. [sporting a grin from ear to ear]

BBB: How’d you get in shape for such a physical role?
Denzel: Boxing. Real boxing. Hitting and getting hit. [I was trained] by a gentleman by the name of Terry Claybon, who was an undefeated boxer who developed cataracts and had to retire.

BBB: Have you always been a fan of boxing?
Denzel: I’m even more of a fan now having been in the ring. I have a healthy respect for what they’re doing. It’s the most difficult sport I’ve ever done. I’ve played football, baseball, basketball, ran track – I did everything at high school and college levels, but nothing’s as tough as this. It’s will, power, conditioning, speed and natural abilities, but it’s mostly imposing your will on someone. There’s no time-outs. You’ve got three minutes, and then you can go sit down.

BBB: Do you still have your six pack abs?
Denzel: Nah. I got a twelve pack or maybe a V-8!

BBB: Did you watch tapes of Rubin Carter boxing?
Denzel: Oh yeah. I didn’t really imitate his style, other than the fact that he was a left hookin’ fool. He was a southpaw. That’s why his left was so powerful. I didn’t feel the pressure to imitate his style because I had to adapt to what I could [physically] do.

BBB: I heard you had an interesting way of staying focused that involved hanging up a black curtain for your scenes. Can you elaborate?
Denzel: I did that because they have this thing I call Video Village. You know, all these people are watching the video. So, let’s say, you and I have a scene where we’re talking and Video Village is right back there [points to foreground] and I’m trying to engage with you. But I’m watching people watching TV – watching me. It just takes me out of what I’m doing, so I was like, “Cover that thing up.”

BBB: How do we make movies like this sexy? You know what I mean? Like, how do you get people out to the theaters to see it?
Denzel: Show that butt! [laughs] Show that butt! That’s your job to talk about that booty!

BBB: Seriously, this is an important movie, but will enough people go see it?
Denzel: Well, one of the good things we did was we didn’t spend a whole lot of money to make this movie...It’s a fine line as a promoter not to make it too precious or too serious. I mean, it’s still just a movie. You know, it’s a get-some-popcorn-and-a-soda-and-go-to-the-movie kind of movie. But I do feel good that we didn’t spend a crazy amount of money - so there’s not a lot of pressure to make a lot of money. And I don’t rely on that whole, “It’s gotta do this or that by Saturday or Sunday, or it’s a bomb.” I don’t think that...what am I saying? How do we make it more sexy? Talk about the butt!

BBB: You got it Denzel. Your bare backside alone should bring in the masses!. But I must say, that scene where you walk out of prison and you’re wearin’ that tight white T-shirt and hat…

Denzel: I’ll tell you what, that was the first thing I shot in the movie. And that prison is literally across the street from a neighborhood. I mean, a kid comes out of house and runs 40 feet, he can touch the wall. That’s Trenton State, which is one of the roughest prisons in the world. Trenton State is no joke.

BBB: Yeah, but you looked so fine.
Denzel: Well, thank you.

BBB: No Denzel – thank you!